Mrs. Gloria Lee Wong

Gloria had an eventful life beginning in a small village in China. Over the years she shared many stories of her childhood there and it was through those stories that we got a sense of who she was to become. She was brought up with her older sister Jane by her mother. Her father, who had already made the move to Canada, sent for her sister Jane to make the long journey overseas. In the end however it was Gloria who went instead of her. So at the very young age of 12, she endured the long and difficult boat voyage to Canada on her own.

When she arrived in Vancouver she was met by a stepmother that she never knew she had. More surprises were to follow. She had 3 half brothers and a half sister. She spent many years working in her father’s cafe as a waitress and looking after her siblings. Her first years in Vancouver were very difficult while she worked in the restaurant. She persevered and as soon as possible she established her independence by moving into her own apartment, got training as a hairdresser, and obtained employment in that field. She was very successful because of her kind personality and her artistic eye. Gloria had learned to speak English quickly and was self educated. She would go to the library and read. She knew a lot about politics, history and world issues. She would listen to the news and read the newspaper as often as she could. She thought deeply about issues and enjoyed discussing them with people.

Marriage to Ming and motherhood followed with Leah, Mark and Jennifer completing the family. When tragedy struck with the loss of Ming, she vowed to always put her children’s needs as paramount and she worked long hours to provide for them. Gloria worked in a warehouse at Nabob’s foods where she worked on an assembly line packing tea. Then she transferred to Kelly Douglas where she trained as an order selector. Kelly Douglas was eventually taken over by Johnston Terminals. It was a very stressful time because jobs were being cut. She ended up getting work as an order selector at Johnstons terminals. It was great in that it was only a couple of minutes from home but stressful in that the staff of 300 people, that were mostly men, felt that women shouldn’t be taking jobs that should go to men. She kept her head down and worked hard and eventually earned their respect. One supervisor told her that she reminded him of his mother who was a strong woman who had overcome great difficulty. Gloria had to work the graveyard shift and many overtime hours to provide for her family but she never complained.

After the death of her husband Gloria was diagnosed with Lupus which she had to battle for the remainder of her life. She joined a Lupus group and found support and friends. She attended their walks and fundraisers. She worked to fund raise and raise awareness of this awful disease.

Despite the hardships that occurred in her life, she remained strong and positive and capable. She was also a kind and giving woman, warm and sensitive to others. Gloria loved the simple things in life. It was her pleasure to host family dinners on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. She was famous for her cooking. At Christmas time many people looked forward to her big batches of shortbread and Christmas cake. She would put the goodies in containers and generously hand them out to all her friends and family.

Gloria loved to spend time with he 3 grandchildren Max, Maya, and Dylan. She had a way with the kids when they were babies and could always get them to eat just a little bit more than anyone else. She enjoyed going to their birthday parties, piano concerts, and sports events. The kids also liked the quiet times they spent with their grandma especially when she gave them one of her calming and gentle back rubs.

Everyone who met her would remark on what an amazing person she was. Her smile and gentle spirit could brighten up any room. Gloria will truly be missed but she will be forever in our hearts.

Memories of Gloria Wong

It seems that everywhere I go these days I am reminded of moments shared with my mother-in-law Gloria Wong. The bench at Metrotown, the noodle house on Kingsway, the walk through Stanley Park, the flowers in our garden. I am reminded daily of the presence she had in our lives and feel the emptiness of her absence. I had the honour of knowing Gloria for the last 16 years and am forever grateful for her warmth, kindness, generosity, and strength. I’d like to share a few of my memories that come to mind when I think of the kind of person she was.

I remember one of the first times I met Gloria. I was new to Vancouver having recently moved from Winnipeg and had no family here. I had met a wonderful woman who would later become my wife, but at the time we were still just getting to know each other. It was Christmastime and being that I was all alone out here, Jennifer invited me to her mom’s house for Christmas dinner. What struck me the most about that first dinner together was her incredible warmth. She welcomed me into her home and her family with the warmth of a mother, my second mother here in Vancouver. She was able to put me at ease in a house of strangers and made me feel like I had a new home.

Years later after Jennifer and I were married with children of our own she was to show a wonderful kindness to our family. For the first year of both Maya’s and Dylan’s life she would be at our place most days to help out. She had such a gentle touch and would give her grandkids a bath before feeding them more than Jen or I could ever get them to eat. Her kindness didn’t stop with the grandkids and many days there would be something on the stove waiting for us for dinner. Her kindness had such an impact on the early development of our family and I know that our children have grown up feeling the kindness and love of their grandmother.

As many of you know Gloria never thought of herself and always put others first. She would be the last one to sit down, the last one to serve herself and the last to keep a present. She would be the first however to reach for the bill at a restaurant and if anyone else tried to get it, they were in for a battle. Her generosity was immense and knew no bounds. She never wanted for herself and wouldn’t be content until everyone around her was first. I can remember the struggle each year trying to find a Christmas present that she would keep because time and time again she would rather give than receive.

The Gloria that I got to know had an inner strength that I believe was with her her whole life. Imagine what it must have taken to make that journey on a boat across the ocean to a new and strange country when she was only 12. She worked hard her whole life to do what was best for her children and grandchildren in a way that shows a great strength of character. Two jobs, overtime, late night shifts, everything was for the well-being of her family. This strength was with her to the very end and even through the worst of her illness she managed a smile and wave when we would visit in spite of the pain she was in. I can only hope that our children grow up with a fraction of the strength that Gloria had.

Her warmth, kindness, generosity and strength are what I will remember most about Gloria. They are her legacy and they live through all of us who have shared her life. Her daughter Jennifer and our children share these traits and I can’t think of a greater legacy to pass on.

I am forever grateful for having known Gloria. Her life was truly bright and I know that she will always be in our hearts and minds.

- Scott Hodges

My Grandma

My Grandma was an amazing person. She would hug me every time she entered the room. She also rubbed my back a lot. That always felt so good. I love my grandma. I miss her a lot, but I know she is watching over us and smiling.

- Maya Hodges